[10.03] ROSAT Observations of the May 1 1992 Gamma Ray Burst Source

The gamma-ray burst of May 1 1992 was observed and rapidly localized by the
3rd Interplanetary Network, and a 2000 s ROSAT TOO observation was carried
out on the small error box. A weak x-ray source was detected, but with too
few photons to determine the spectral and temporal characteristics of the
source. We have recently carried out a 30 ksec PSPC observation of this
source, resulting in the detection of 140 photons. We find that the
spectrum is consistent with thermal bremsstrahlung from a 7 million degree
plasma with about $10^{22} cm^{-2}$ column depth. In addition, analysis of
the photon arrival times indicates that the source is variable. The distance
implied by the column depth makes it unlikely that this source is coronal
emission from a field star. Optical and HRI observations of this region are
now planned or underway. We discuss the possible identification of this
object and its implication for the GRB source.